October 2023 Council Meeting

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council met Tuesday, October 3 – Thursday, October 5, 2023 in New York, NY. The meeting was held at the Yotel New York.

• Motions

• Meeting Report

• Webinar Recordings

Agenda and Briefing Materials

• Agenda

• Status Update Documents

• Combined Briefing Book

Executive Committee (Open Session) - 2024 Implementation Plan

• Briefing Materials (Tab 1)

• Supplemental: Draft 2024 Project Descriptions

Monkfish and Dogfish Joint Framework to Reduce the Bycatch of Atlantic Sturgeon

• Briefing Materials (Tab 2)

• Supplemental: Summary of the September 20 Joint Dogfish and Monkfish Committee Meeting

• Presentation

Illex Hold Framework Meeting #2: Final Action

• Briefing Materials (Tab 3)

• Supplemental Comments

• Presentation

Northeast Fishery Science Center (NEFSC) Federal Surveys: Survey Performance, Issues, and Planning for the Future

Dr. Kathryn Ford and Peter Chase, NEFSC

• Briefing Materials (Tab 4)

• Presentation

Policy/Process for Reviewing Exempted Fishing Permit Applications for Unmanaged Forage Amendment Ecosystem Component Species

• Briefing Materials (Tab 5)

• Presentation

Offshore Wind Energy Development - Updates from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

• Briefing Materials (Tab 6)

• Presentation - BOEM

• Presentation - NYSERDA

Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Risk Assessment Review

• Briefing Materials (Tab 7)

• Presentation

Private Recreational Tilefish Permitting and Reporting

• Briefing Materials (Tab 8)

• Presentation

Habitat Activities Update

Karen Greene, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Habitat and Ecosystem Services Division

• Briefing Materials (Tab 9)

• Presentation

NEFSC Observer Program Update

Katherine McArdle, NEFSC

• Briefing Materials (Tab 10)

• Presentation

NEFSC Cooperative Research Update

Dr. Anna Mercer, NEFSC

• Briefing Materials (Tab 11)

• Presentation

Spiny Dogfish and Atlantic Mackerel Assessment and Peer Review Overviews

• Briefing Materials (Tab 12)

• Supplemental:

  • NEFSC Assessment Document Portal

  • Pre peer review Draft Atlantic Mackerel Management Track Assessment

  • Pre peer review Draft Spiny Dogfish Management Track Assessment

  • Peer Reviews (finalized after the October meeting)

• Presentation

NEFSC Presentation on Maternal Effects

Mark Wuenschel and Richard McBride, NEFSC

• Briefing Materials (Tab 13)

• Presentation

Business Session

Committee Reports

• Scientific and Statistical Committee

  • Presentation

• Monkfish Committee

  • Supplemental:

    • Monkfish RSA Working Group Final Report

    • NEFMC to GARFO Re: Monkfish RSA Recommendations

• Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Committee and Advisory Panel

  • Supplemental: Letter from Monte Rome

• Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel

• Executive Committee

Executive Director’s Report – Dr. Chris Moore

• Briefing Materials (Tab 15)

• Supplemental:

  • Draft CCC Letter on NMFS Procedural Directive on 304(f) (“Climate Governance Policy”)

  • Correspondence Regarding Reopening of Georges Bank PSP Closed Area

    • MAFMC Letter to FDA (7/24/23)

    • FDA Response to MAFMC (9/29/23)

    • NMFS Letter to MAFMC (10/3/23)

    • Surfside Foods to MAFMC (10/4/23)

Organization Reports

• NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office

• NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center

• NOAA Office of General Counsel

• NOAA Office of Law Enforcement

• US Coast Guard

Liaison Reports - New England Council, South Atlantic Council

• Briefing Materials (Tab 16)

• Supplemental:

  • South Atlantic Council Liaison Report

  • New England Council Liaison Report

Other Business and General Public Comment